Sample Wisconsin License Plate

Registering for License Plates in Wisconsin

DMV locations can be found in various locations throughout the state and applications to register vehicles should be done in person.

The DMV requires new vehicle drivers to register immediately following their purchase. They have 2 days after purchase to display a temporary or registered license plate.

For new state residents, it is mandatory to convert out-of-state vehicles with Wisconsin license plates.

Types of License Plates in Wisconsin

The standard wisconsin license plate have a white background with black and red lettering. There is an image of a farm and the quote “America’s Dairyland” across the bottom.

Other types of license plates available in Wisconsin includes:

Specialty license plates

Disability license plates

Personalized license plates

The above plates require additional fees which varies by plate type.

There are also temporary license plates which cost $3 and up to $5 for service fees.

Specialty License Plates in Wisconsin

There are various colorful and commemorative license plates provide by the DMV in Wisconsin. The following are a few choices available:

Amature Radio

Antique

Celebrate Children Foundation​

Choose Life Wisconsin Inc.

Civil Air Patrol​ | Collector

Collector special

Cure childhood cancer

Disabled parking

Disabled veteran

Donate Life Wisconsin

Ducks Unlimited

Emergency Medical Services

Endangered resources

Ex-prisoner of war

Firefighter

Freemason

Gold Star

Golf Wisconsin

Green Bay Packers

Harley-Davidson/Share the road

Historic military vehicle |

Hobbyist

In God We Trust​​​​

Lao Veteran​

Law Enforcement Memorial

Lions Foundation

Marquette University​

Medal of Honor | Military

Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Bucks​

Nurses change lives

Personalized

Rescue squad member

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Sample

Scouting alumni

Special Group​​

Trout Unlimited

University

U.S. Veteran motorcycle

Whitetails Unlimited

Wisconsin National Guard​

Wisconsin Salutes Veterans​

Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation

Some of these specialty license plates have eligibility requirements to be meet before they can be issued. For example, occupation plates require proof of employment.

Disability License Plates in Wisconsin

Disability license plates and placards provide people with disabilities access to designated parking spaces in the state. To be qualified for these plates or placards, medical proof may be required.

Disability license plates are issued to:

Vehicles offering transportation services to people with disabilities.

People with permanent disabilities

Disability placards are issued to people with:

Temporary disabilities

Permanent disabilities

Veterans with disabilities

Personalized License Plates in Wisconsin

Most of the standard license plates issued by the DMV in Wisconsin can be personalised with a custom plate number.

Personalized plates, depending on the type, can be 1 to 7 letters and/or numbers long. It is not permissible to create license plates with:

Indecent suggestions

Misleading suggestions

Crude language

Inappropriate slang

It is possible to check availability before applying to ensure a plate number is available. To perform a free personalized plate search by using the search bar above.

Replacement License Plates

Lost, stolen, or damaged license plates can be replaced by submitting an application to the DMV. Replacements can be provided for both license plates and decal stickers.

It may be required to report stolen plates to the police and obtain a police report.

When submitting an application, the required payment for the replacement plate fee is $10 for standard plates.

Transferring License Plates in Wisconsin

All license plates must remain with the registered person, even if they sell their vehicle. License plates cannot be transferred to a new person. Instead, they can only be transferred to a new vehicle that is titled in the same name.

If license plates are not transferred and now longer needed, it is legal to destroy the plates to prevent others from using them.

It is not necessary to surrender license plates when they are no longer required for use.

Renewing License Plates in Wisconsin

Before a license plate registration expires, it is possible to apply for a renewal:

Online

In person

By mail

Going to the DMV office in person can provide new decals immediately. Online and mailed in renewals may require a couple weeks before the decals arrive.

Typically, a vehicle is valid for 1 year (other options may be available for different vehicle types).

All vehicles must have up-to-date decals that are clearly visible to avoid penalties.

Fees for Wisconsin License Plates & Registration

Registering a vehicle in Wisconsin requires numerous fees such as:

Service fees

Vehicle registration fees

Titling fees

Wheel tax (if applicable)

Here’s a few fees which are required when registering or renewing a vehicle with Wisconsin license plates:

Vehicle Registration Fee:

Pass. Vehicles: $75

Motorcycle: $23

Duplicate Registration Fee: $2

Temporary Plate Fee:

Order: $3

Service Fee: $5 (if applicable)

Replacement Fee:

Standard plates: $10

Decals: Free

Titling Fee: $69.50

Wheel Tax (for all vehicles less than 8 000 lbs):

Fees are determined by resident’s location

E.g. Lincoln County: $20

Looking Up License Plates in Wisconsin for Free

It is possible to look up license plates numbers in Wisconsin and other states in the U.S.

You can find information about a vehicle for:

Bad drivers

Car accidents

Car history (i.e. thefts)

Media (i.e. pictures, videos, etc.)

Submitted reports

When considering a used vehicle from a private seller, you can use this information to make an informed decision before you purchase.